Somatic Nervous System

Definition

The somatic nervous system is a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.

Analogy

Think of the somatic nervous system as the boss at a construction site. It gives direct orders to the workers (your muscles) on what to do, like lifting an arm or walking.

Related terms

Motor Neurons: These are nerve cells forming part of a pathway along which impulses pass from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle or gland.

Sensory Neurons: These neurons transmit sensory information (sight, sound, feeling) from receptors detecting external and internal stimuli to the central nervous system.

Reflex Arc: This is a neural pathway that controls reflex actions. In this case, it allows an immediate response without conscious thought.